Flares vs. No Flares: The #1 Mistake When Buying RAM 1500 Mud Flaps
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You want to protect the immaculate paint on your 2019–2026 RAM 1500.
You do your research, order a premium set of WeatherTech No-Drill Mud Flaps, and they arrive at your door. You grab your tools, head out to the driveway to install them, and immediately realize they don't line up. There’s an ugly, 1-inch gap between the rigid flap and the fender of your truck.
What went wrong? You likely bought the wrong version for your Fender Flares.
RAM produces the 1500 in two very distinct exterior configurations:
- With OEM Flares: A plastic trim piece (either black or painted) outlines the wheel well lip. (Highly common on Rebel, Laramie, and Longhorn trims).
- Without Flares: The painted metal fender simply ends directly at the wheel well opening. (Common on Tradesman and Big Horn trims).
Because premium molded mud flaps from brands like WeatherTech and Husky Liners are 3D-scanned and contoured to hug the body perfectly, they are absolutely not interchangeable.
In this guide, we show you clear photos of both styles so you can identify your exact truck in seconds, and we explain why lifted trucks running 35-inch tires desperately need "Kickback" flaps instead of standard molded splash guards.
Compare Premium Mud Flap Styles
Factory Look or Lifted Off-Road Protection?
|
Flap Style |
Material |
Installation |
Best For |
|
WeatherTech No-Drill |
Rigid Thermoplastic. |
Easy. (Features patented Cam-Lock). |
Stock Trucks. Looks totally OEM and protects perfectly against daily road spray. |
|
Husky Custom Molded |
Impact Plastic. |
Easy. (Uses factory screws). |
Paint Protection. Often includes transparent "Paint Protection Film" to prevent the flap from rubbing the clear coat. |
|
Husky Kickback |
Heavy-Duty Rubber. |
Medium. (Offset bracket). |
Lifted / Offset Trucks. Pushes the flap back for massive tire clearance while blocking heavy off-road debris. |
Frequently Asked Questions (Mud Flaps)
Do I have to drill holes in my truck's metal fenders?
Not with the right premium brand.
Both WeatherTech and Husky Liners utilize a highly engineered "No-Drill" mounting system for their molded flaps. They utilize the existing factory screws located inside the fender liner. WeatherTech even includes a patented "Cam-Lock" mechanism that securely grips the inner fender lip without piercing the metal, ensuring your truck remains rust-free.
How do I know if I have "Fender Flares" or not?
Go look at your front wheel well.
- Flares: Is there a distinct strip of plastic (about 1–2 inches wide) attached to the outside edge of the fender? It might be black textured plastic (common on the Rebel) or painted to match the truck (common on Laramie/Longhorn). If yes, buy the "With Flares" version.
- No Flares: Does the smooth metal body panel simply curve inward and end right at the wheel well opening? If yes, buy the "Without Flares" version.
Will thick molded flaps fit perfectly with my electric running boards?
Usually, yes, but measure your clearance.
Factory power boards on the Limited and Longhorn trims usually stop short of the front wheel well, leaving plenty of room for a mud flap. However, some premium aftermarket boards (like the AMP Research PowerStep) are designed to be longer. Check the clearance between the front edge of your deployed step and the wheel well. If it's less than 2 inches, a thick molded flap might make contact with the board when it deploys.
Save your rockers.
Don't let flying gravel and road salt chip your paint. Shop our verified collection of premium 2019–2026 RAM 1500 Mud Flaps.